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Ship scavenger 'greed' condemned Scavenger beach clean-up starts
(about 2 hours later)
Members of the public who have been taking goods washed ashore from stricken container ship MSC Napoli have been accused of "crass greed". The police have closed roads leading to the Devon beach where cargo from the stricken ship MSC Napoli washed ashore.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said scavengers who have descended on Branscombe beach in Devon were making the clean-up more difficult. Hundreds of scavengers descended on the beach in Branscombe, taking away goods that included BMW motorbikes, wine, nappies and beauty cream.
It said the scenes were a "nightmare" and "deeply upsetting". Officers have closed the beach to deter treasure seekers and to allow contractors start clearing away substantial amounts of debris.
Police are urging people to stay away and have begun to stop non-residents' vehicles entering the village. Coastguard officials have accused scavengers of 'sheer greed'.
The beach will now be closed to allow cranes and other lifting gear safe access as they start to clear away the debris. That is a view reflected by one family who were shocked to see pictures of their belongings being looted from one crate on the beach.
The Napoli suffered structural damage during last Thursday's storms and was deliberately grounded a mile off Branscombe to stop it breaking up in deep water.
Map: Devon coastline and wreck siteMap: Devon coastline and wreck site
About 200 of the vessel's 2,323 containers have gone overboard. Anita and Jan Bokdal's possessions were being transported on the MSC Napoli from their native Sweden to South Africa, where they have bought a wine farm.
Barrels of wine, shoes, hair care products, steering wheels, nappies, and BMW motorbikes are among the products washed up. They were horrified to see pictures in the media of their belongings, including photographs and family heirlooms, being emptied on to the beach.
But now unwanted contents are strewn the length of Branscombe's pebbled beach. "We have brought a lot of things... from our mothers and fathers which you can't get back. If they have taken it, it has gone and it hurts our hearts very much," said Mrs Bokdal.
WHY IS THE AREA SO SPECIAL? It's part of Britain's first natural World Heritage SiteThe site covers 95 miles of coast from East Devon to Dorset185 million years of the Earth's history are recorded in the rocks It's known as the Jurassic Coast after the best-known geological period found within itIt was declared a World Heritage Site in December 2001 as 'an outstanding example of the major stages of the Earth's history' class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6289067.stm">Your pictures: MSC Napoli Unwanted goods were left strewn over the World Heritage site
Scavengers - some with babies in arms - have descended on the World Heritage Coast since Sunday, apparently ignoring warnings that 158 of the containers may contain hazardous chemicals. She said the police should have done more to stop the looters.
About 200 of the MSC Napoli's 2,323 containers have gone overboard.
The Acting Receiver of Wreck, Mark Rodaway, said: "There was every effort made in the early stages to secure the site and clearly there is a heavy resource implication both for the Coastguard and the police forces involved.
"But the numbers that actually turned out on to the beach were unexpected."
He urged anyone who had taken personal items from the beach to return them as soon as possible.
Under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, it is an offence for people to remove items from a wreck if they conceal or keep possession of cargo and refuse to surrender it.Under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, it is an offence for people to remove items from a wreck if they conceal or keep possession of cargo and refuse to surrender it.
But some of the items plundered from the container ship have already been listed on the internet auction website eBay.But some of the items plundered from the container ship have already been listed on the internet auction website eBay.
WHY IS THE AREA SO SPECIAL? It's part of Britain's first natural World Heritage SiteThe site covers 95 miles of coast from East Devon to Dorset185 million years of the Earth's history are recorded in the rocks It's known as the Jurassic Coast after the best-known geological period found within itIt was declared a World Heritage Site in December 2001 as 'an outstanding example of the major stages of the Earth's history' Your pictures: MSC Napoli
BMW steering wheel airbags - advertised as coming from the Napoli - were up for sale online.BMW steering wheel airbags - advertised as coming from the Napoli - were up for sale online.
MCA spokesman Mark Clark said had warnings not to touch the containers been followed, they would have been removed and the beach returned to normality quite soon.MCA spokesman Mark Clark said had warnings not to touch the containers been followed, they would have been removed and the beach returned to normality quite soon.
"They have quadrupled our task," he said."They have quadrupled our task," he said.
"People are lighting fires beside the containers, getting on top of them ripping stuff out, and not heeding our warnings."People are lighting fires beside the containers, getting on top of them ripping stuff out, and not heeding our warnings.
Unwanted goods were left strewn over the World Heritage site
"The MCA is deeply upset and angry because all the stuff which has been ripped out of the containers will be swept out to sea and have an environmental impact," he said."The MCA is deeply upset and angry because all the stuff which has been ripped out of the containers will be swept out to sea and have an environmental impact," he said.
"In 11 years I have never seen anything like it, it is sheer greed.""In 11 years I have never seen anything like it, it is sheer greed."
The coastguard also said it may take a week to pump 3,500 tonnes of oil from the ship to stop more leaks of oil. Devon and Cornwall Police said that with heavy plant equipment moving on to the beach it was safer to close roads leading to the beach.
The beach is closed to all traffic except the contractors, emergency vehicles and local residents.
The process of heating the thick fuel oil on the ship to turn it into a consistency that can be pumped on to another vessel is due to start.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said it may take a week to pump 3,500 tonnes of oil from the ship to stop more leaks of oil.
The Napoli suffered structural damage during last Thursday's storms and was deliberately grounded a mile off Branscombe to stop it breaking up in deep water.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has reported 600 seabirds had been found suffering from the effects of oil between Chesil Beach and Portland in Dorset, sparking fears environmental damage was worsening.The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has reported 600 seabirds had been found suffering from the effects of oil between Chesil Beach and Portland in Dorset, sparking fears environmental damage was worsening.
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Have you taken anything from the beach? If so, why did you think it was yours to take? Do you live in the area? Should maritime law be updated for goods washed ashore from shipwrecks? Send us your comments using the form belowHave you taken anything from the beach? If so, why did you think it was yours to take? Do you live in the area? Should maritime law be updated for goods washed ashore from shipwrecks? Send us your comments using the form below
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